Luke Mathiesen recently started helping to lead the Salt Course. We got in touch to hear about his story, the course and why it resonates with Londoners today...
The first time I got involved in the Salt Course was in October 2022. My then-fiancé, now wife, Issy and I led a discussion group together. Since then, we’ve led a group on nearly every Salt Course. From the start, something resonated. It felt like exactly the kind of work I wanted to give myself to.
Leading alongside Issy has been a joy too. Looking back, I’m convinced it helped prepare us for marriage, and it continues to strengthen us to make disciples and share the hope of Christ. (Maybe Grace London should make Salt a compulsory part of marriage prep? Just saying.)
Real Conversations
One of the best things about the Salt Course is the depth of the conversations. There’s something about sitting down over a meal or hot drink that opens the door to genuine connection. It’s not uncommon for guests, even on the second session, to share vulnerably about mental health struggles or family bereavements. It’s a great privilege to walk with them and encourage them to look to Christ in these moments.
There are so few spaces in modern life for people to talk honestly about life’s big questions and our deepest struggles in a group setting like this. Outside of the church, it’s practically unheard of. But these conversations are normal at Salt, and the 25-minute talk that kicks off each evening gives plenty of subject matter for meaty conversation.
Recently, I’ve started giving a few of those 25-minute talks myself, alongside Harrison Clewes. It’s been a stretch, but a good one. Preparing these talks has forced me to read widely and think deeply about the intersection between faith and today's culture—what people are really struggling with in a secular city like London, and how the gospel meets those struggles head-on.
Luke & Izzy
Why Do I Keep Showing Up?
I care deeply about people finding peace and salvation in Christ. I was like many of our guests—burdened by life’s biggest questions and frustrated by how little the world could offer by way of real answers.
I’ve seen God's power working through the Salt Course; lives changed, hearts softened, and often the initial kindling of love for our Lord. It’s also not unusual for Salt guests to start coming to church services and getting plugged into community. Some of them are now in our life group. It’s a great encouragement.
Why Salt Works
Many secular Londoners assume Christianity is irrelevant, outdated, or even harmful. But the Salt Course gently challenges that. The talks are designed to raise big questions people are already wrestling with—Is there meaning to life? How can I be happy? What does it mean to be a good person? We first highlight why these questions are so important before exposing how our secular societies’ answers prove woefully deficient and why Jesus is our only hope.
Salt isn’t just about intellectual arguments. It’s vital that our guests feel respected and listened to. Our discussions are hearty and require a level of vulnerability to truly engage with them. The job of the table leaders isn’t primarily about answering questions, but cultivating an environment where our guests feel they can truly discuss their deepest problems and are being listened to and loved in the process.
Thinking of Coming or Inviting a Friend?
Do it. Come along to Costa on a Tuesday night. Grab a panini and dive into conversations that matter. It’s relaxed, friendly, and I believe God loves it.
If you’re a Christian thinking of inviting someone, don’t overthink it. We’ve had many guests come along who knew little to nothing about Christianity, and we’ve seen God change lives time and time again. If there’s even a chance your friend might say yes—and if you care about their eternal destiny—it’s worth the invite.
The Salt Course runs for seven consecutive Tuesdays, starting 27th May, 7.30-9.15pm at Costa Coffee, SE1 8LP. Find out more here.
